As the war with Iran enters its fourth week, questions are growing about how the decision to go to war was made, after US President Donald Trump offered a shifting account of events.
Speaking at a roundtable in Tennessee, Trump suggested Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was the first to push for military action, saying Hegseth had urged a strike to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The remark adds to a string of contradictory explanations from within the administration, which has given varying justifications for the war—from claims that Israel’s actions made US involvement unavoidable to assertions that Iran was on the verge of deploying a nuclear weapon.
Trump described consultations with senior officials and military leaders, framing the decision as a choice between inaction and removing a major threat in the Middle East. But the administration’s narrative has been inconsistent. Hours before crediting Hegseth, Trump said Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Gulf were unexpected, claiming “nobody was even thinking about it,” a statement at odds with reports that US officials had received warnings about possible Iranian retaliation.
Hegseth has become the public face of the campaign, outlining objectives including dismantling Iran’s missile systems, drone capabilities and naval strength. He has defended the operation against critical media coverage even as the conflict has widened into a regional crisis and resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members. When pressed on timelines, Hegseth declined specifics, saying only that the mission remains “on track.”
Trump said Vice President JD Vance had been less enthusiastic about the war, though Vance has not publicly registered dissent. Reports also point to divisions across the administration: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and media mogul Rupert Murdoch are among those reportedly supportive of military action, while others urged caution. The internal strain has produced fallout: Joe Kent, former head of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned last week, the first senior official to step down over the conflict.
Even as fighting continues, Trump has floated the possibility of negotiations with Iran, suggesting a deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and referencing potential talks involving Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff; Iran has denied any such discussions. Trump had initially set a deadline for Iran to meet US demands or face further strikes, but that timeline has been extended by five days.
Social media captured Trump’s comments, including posts quoting him: “Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up. You said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
